European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley laid emphasis on peaceful, fair and participatory elections in Bangladesh, as an Election Exploratory Mission (ExM) from the bloc continued holding meetings with various actors, including political parties, civil society groups and security forces.

"We very much encourage peaceful, free, fair and participatory elections in Bangladesh as a friend and partner of Bangladesh," Whiteley told reporters, after a meeting with Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

"You know they are here to decide and recommend whether the EU should deploy a full election observation mission. So, it is a good opportunity to speak with the Minister about this and the EU's support," said the EU envoy, adding that they had open discussions on relevant issues.

Obaidul Quader said that it is up to the visiting EU Election Exploratory Mission whether they will request BNP or any other political party to participate in the elections. The EU delegation also had a meeting with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Kamal Uddin Ahmed. The delegation wanted to know about any risk of violence during the elections in Bangladesh.

Another meeting was held with the leaders of Awami League International Affairs subcommittee at the residence of the ambassador. The key meeting with Awami League will be held on July 15 which will be led by Obaidul Quader.

Earlier, Members of the Election Exploratory Mission from the EU had a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Inspector General of Missions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Asad Alam Siam, and other MoFA officials were present. Neither side, however, made comments on the discussion.

The visiting delegation began their activities in Bangladesh on Sunday (July 2) to assess the situation on the ground ahead of the country's upcoming national election. Delegation leader Riccardo Chelleri and his team held a number of meetings so far including with diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Sunday.

The visiting delegation also had a meeting with UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis, said a diplomatic source.

The meetings took place in a number of places, including the residence of the EU Ambassador. Diplomats have made no comments regarding the meetings as of yet. The EU delegation will be in Bangladesh till July 23 to assess the situation.

The main objective of the Election Exploratory Mission is to assess the "advisability, usefulness and feasibility" of a possible EU Election Observation Mission for the upcoming parliamentary election, according to the EU Mission in Dhaka.

Meeting with Election Commission

Members of the Mission had a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) on July 11, and wanted to know about its preparations for holding the next election "fairly and peacefully."

The EC discussed its preparations with the visiting EU delegation. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, EU delegation leader Riccardo Chelleri , and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whitely, among others, were present at the meeting.

A technical team of the mission will further discuss the relevant issues with the EC on July 18,19.

Chelleri said they are in Dhaka to assess the pre-electoral conditions in order to prepare an analysis for the EU High Representative which will then decide whether or not a full election observation mission will be deployed in Bangladesh.

The CEC did not make any comment, saying his views are aligned with that of the EU delegation leader. Chelleri did not take any questions from the media.